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Wedding Vows for Every Couple: Tips, Prompts & Formula

How to Write Wedding Vows: The Ultimate Guide for Every Couple

Whether you’re crafting something romantic, funny, spiritual, or modern, this step-by-step guide will help you write vows that are meaningful, memorable, and 100% you.

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Author: Team CelebrateAlly
Couple reading wedding vows

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Writing your own wedding vows can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. This guide includes: Easy-to-follow stepps, Wedding vow prompts, LGBTQIA+ and multicultural vow tips, Real examples for him and her, Creative ideas for vows, FAQs and delivery tips, and a free AI wedding vow generator.

How to Write Wedding Vows

Every great creation starts with the right tools. Why should writing your vows be any different? This wedding vow toolkit is here to turn your love into words. We want the experience to be joyful, personal, and easy.

No writing degree required. Skip to the part you need, or soak it all in: this guide is here to help you write vows that feel true to you.

Not sure where to begin? Try our free Wedding Vow Generator to shape your thoughts into something beautiful.

Step 1: Talk to Your Partner First—Then Confirm with Your Officiant

Your wedding vows are a shared reflection of your relationship—so before writing anything, start with a heartfelt conversation with your partner. This is your moment to define what your vows mean to you both and how you want them to feel on your wedding day.

Ask each other:

  • Do we want our vows to be romantic, funny, spiritual, or traditional?
  • Should we write them separately, together, or exchange joint vows?
  • Are there any topics we want to include or avoid—like cultural rituals, family references, or personal anecdotes?

Depending on your ceremony style—especially if it's religious, cultural, or legally binding—you may want to consult your officiant early in the process to understand any boundaries or expectations.

Questions to ask your officiant:

  • Can we write our own vows?
  • Are there any religious, legal, or cultural elements we need to include?
  • Is there a recommended time limit for vows?

Having both conversations—starting with your partner, then your officiant—gives you the clarity and confidence to write vows that feel authentic, personal, and fully aligned with your ceremony setting.

A couple reading vows

Step 2: Decide the Tone and Reflect on Your Love Story

Now it’s time to go inward. Think about what your vows should feel like. Are they light and playful? Soulful and spiritual? Emotional and raw?

  • What tone do we want—romantic, poetic, spiritual, humorous?
  • Should we include inside jokes?
  • Are there topics or references we should avoid?

LGBTQIA+ Couples: Additional Considerations

Writing LGBTQ wedding vows often includes additional layers of thoughtfulness. Talk openly about family dynamics, pronouns, and visibility:

Include references that feel true to your journey:

  • “You were the person who helped me be fully myself—and loved me for it.”
  • “I promise to celebrate our love, loudly and without apology, every single day.”
  • “Together, we are the family we always dreamed of.”

Consider joint vows or shared delivery if one partner feels nervous.

Multicultural or Interfaith Couples

Blending backgrounds is a beautiful opportunity to honor your roots—but it can also add complexity. Consider:

  • Which traditions you both want to include (and which to skip)
  • Whether vows will be delivered in multiple languages
  • How to explain meaningful symbols or gestures during the ceremony

These discussions often deepen your connection and set a thoughtful tone for your wedding.

Step 3: Use Writing Prompts to Bring Your Vows to Life

When the words don’t come easily, prompts can help you get started.

  • When did you realize they were your person?
  • What’s one moment that defines your relationship?
  • What promise do you want to make for your future?
  • What metaphor or symbol best represents your love?
  • What’s something small (but meaningful) they do that you cherish?
  • How do you want to support them in difficult times?
  • Is there a spiritual or family tradition you'd like to reference?
  • What quote, lyric, or line from literature sums up your bond?

Pro tip: Voice-record your thoughts and transcribe later!

Wedding vow prompts examples

Step 4: Use This Easy 2-Minute Wedding Vow Formula

Now that you have lots of ideas and prompts to work with, it’s time to organize it all into a wedding vow! Again, like any creative endeavour, it takes time to get things just right. We recommend trying this formula with different combinations of your brainstorm. You may find doing two or three will provide the best results. 

2 minute vow formula

2 Minute Vow Formula 

Personal Story OR Expression Of Your Love (30 seconds) + Promises (60 seconds) + Closing (30 seconds)

Personal Story Starters: 

  • “I knew I loved you when…” 
  • “From the moment we met, I…” 
  • “When I first met you…” 

Expression of Love Starters: 

  • “You make me feel…” 
  • “I admire the way you…” 
  • “Because of the way you…”

Promises Starters: 

  • “I vow to…” 
  • “I promise that no matter what happens, I will…” 
  • “In the presence of those we hold dear, I promise to…” 

Closing Starters: 

  • “I’d like to end with this quote…” 
  • “In all of this, you have my commitment…” 
  • “Together, we will…”
comical visual of person nervously writing

Step 5: Overcoming Wedding Vow Challenges

When You’re Stuck Writing
  • Write one sentence at a time
  • Step away and return with fresh eyes
  • Limit vow inspiration to avoid comparison

Ask for Feedback

Ask a friend, sibling, or officiant to review your vow. You don’t need to use their edits—but their perspective may help clarify your message.

Speaking Tips: Practice = Confidence

  • Practice reading aloud (to yourself, a pet, or a plant!)
  • Time it: Aim for 1–2 minutes
  • Record and listen to your tone
  • Print your vow on a card for backup
  • Too nervous? Consider joint vows to ease pressure
Practicing vows

You've Got This—Now Make Your Wedding Vows Special

Writing your wedding vows isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. Whether you're writing LGBTQ vows, honoring two cultures, or just finding the words to say "I love you," this is your moment.

You now have the tools, prompts, and structure to get started. And if you ever feel stuck...

Try our free AI Wedding Vow Generator to turn your love into words.

Here is an example of "Wedding Vow for him"

I’m not standing here because everything has been perfect. I’m standing here because you have been steady—even when I wasn’t. Because you’ve loved me in all my moods, all my overthinking, and even when I left my coffee cups in every room of the house.

You have this quiet way of being strong without needing to say a word. I notice it every time you hold space for me, every time you let me talk in circles until I find my way out.

I promise to keep showing up—not just when it’s fun or easy, but especially when it’s not. I promise to listen, really listen, even when I think I already know. I promise to keep laughing with you and learning from you, even when we’re tired or distracted or just trying to figure it all out.

You’ve made life feel less about proving something and more about simply being with someone. With you, I don’t have to be perfect—I just get to be real. And that’s the gift I’ll spend the rest of my life returning.

Here is an example of "Wedding Vow for her"

You walked into my life with that smile—that heart-wide-open, world-lit-up smile—and I haven’t been the same since.

From day one, you’ve made ordinary moments feel like scenes from the greatest story ever told. Folding laundry, getting groceries, dancing in the kitchen after dinner—these are the things I’ll treasure, because they’re with you.

I vow to support your dreams with every bit of strength I have, and to make sure you always know how loved, admired, and extraordinary you are—even on days you forget it. I promise to laugh with you when life is good, and hold your hand—tight—when it’s not.

I will be your shelter in the storm, your biggest fan in the crowd, and your soft place to land when the world gets noisy. I’ll show up, every day, not because I have to, but because loving you is the most natural thing I’ve ever done. You are the miracle I never knew how to pray for. And for as long as I get to walk this earth, I’ll walk it with you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Vows

How long should wedding vows be?

2-3 minutes or about 400 to 500 words is ideal.

Creative Ways to Make Your Wedding Vows Unique.

  • Write your vows as a love letter
    Begin with “Dear [Name],” and speak to your partner directly. It makes the vow feel personal, intimate, and heartfelt—like a note they’ll want to keep forever.
  • Use a call-and-response structure
    Add rhythm and memorability by echoing lines like “I promise to…” or “With you, I will…”—especially meaningful if you and your partner mirror each other’s structure.
  • Reference your shared passions
    Mention favorite hobbies, shows, or inside jokes—whether it's hiking, cooking, or quoting your go-to sitcom. It shows your vows were written just for them.
  • Add a poetic touch or custom metaphor
    Describe your partner or your love in your own words—like “You are my North Star,” or “With you, even Mondays feel like Saturdays.”
  • Include humor and quirks unique to your relationship
    Whether it’s promising to let them control the playlist or never judge their 3rd breakfast—bringing your personalities into the vow makes it truly yours.

How do I outline my wedding vows before writing them?

  • Intro: How you met or what drew you in
  • What you love about them
  • Include bits about your journey
  • What they’ve taught you
  • Your promises
  • Closing line (your vow “mic drop”)

How to end a wedding vow?

End with a meaningful promise or phrase that sums up your commitment. Examples include:

  • “Today, I choose you. Always.”
  • “You are my home, and I vow to return to you every day.”
  • “For the rest of my life, I am yours.”
    Keep it personal and emotionally resonant.

What is a wedding vow Mad Libs and how do you use it?

It’s a fill-in-the-blank style template where you insert adjectives, names, or activities into a fun vow format. It’s perfect for couples who want a quirky, playful, or lighthearted ceremony element. You can even do it together as a pre-wedding activity!

Should we write our wedding vows separately or as a couple?

It depends on your personalities and the tone you want for your ceremony.

  • Choose separate vows if you want: surprise, individuality, personal anecdotes
  • Choose joint vows if you want: harmony, shared voice, or ease during public speaking

Do LGBTQ wedding vows need to follow a certain format?

No—LGBTQ+ wedding vows don’t need to follow any set format. In fact, one of the most beautiful things about LGBTQ+ weddings is the freedom to break traditions and create something that feels truly authentic. Consider including:

  • Acknowledgment of the journey to love or self-acceptance
  • References to chosen family or shared resilience
  • Joyful declarations of pride (“I vow to hold your hand in public and in private”)
  • Shared dreams for the life you're building together

What is one of the best tools for writing personalized wedding vows?

One of the best tools for writing meaningful wedding vows is the CelebrateAlly AI Wedding Vow Generator. Designed specifically for couples, this tool helps you create deeply personal, emotionally resonant vows in just minutes. Unlike generic AI platforms, CelebrateAlly guides you through relationship-based questions and generates custom vows in romantic, funny, traditional, LGBTQ+, and faith-based styles. It’s fast, private, and incredibly easy to use—making it the go-to wedding vow generator for modern couples.